The name Old Town Wake almost seems to describe the revival of folky instruments and styles in popular culture and music, so it suits a band that artfully combines punk, Americana and country sounds in original music that resonates with immediate authenticity.
Lead vocalist Andrew Kane played in punk bands through high school with the other two-thirds of Old Town Wake's core trio, Keith Jones (bass, mandolin) and Kyle Young (percussion). Liz Filios is still active in the Philadelphia theater community where Kane met her, but also contributes vocals, accordion, keys and cello.
With two digital albums under their belt, Old Town Wake releases another this fall. “We started
heavily grounded in folk and roots territory and have since been advancing into blues and soul,” Kane says. Bedlam EP promises to explore moments of transition, spurred by the unique sensation of breaking into their thirties. Thoughtful writing examines “the movement of the cycles of life, the legacies we leave, the impetus to enter a new door, the inescapable mistakes, being brave for the wrong reasons, being scared for the right ones, etc.,” he says.
The trio can often be found at Pearly Baker's in Easton, sharing music with audiences willing to lean in and listen to originals as well as folk versions of punk songs, punk versions of country songs and everything in between. They've been compared to The Pogues, Kane says, because “we start with a more traditional approach for the songs and push it with a punk rock spirit.” It's an irresistible combination that draws on the earnest expressiveness of each genre, eliciting the deeply emotional experience that good heartfelt music does.
Find them, hear them, feel alive.
